Describes AKNA, a human AT-hook protein that directly binds the A/T-rich regulatory elements of the promoters of CD40 and CD40 ligand (CD40L) and coordinately regulates their expression. How it contains multiple PEST protein-cleavage motifs; Expression of AKNA by B and T lymphocytes, natural killer cells and dendritic cells, and in B-lymphocyte differentiation; Conclusion that an AT-hook molecule can regulate the expression of a key receptor and its ligand, and point towards a molecular mechanism that explains homotypic cell interactions.

ACCESSION #

4223522

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